Machine for straightening rods and pipes



' NOV. 17, 1931. v w HARTLEY 1,832,631

MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING RODS AND PIPES Filed June 4. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l fiver 1T0?" Nov. 17, 1931.

T. W. HARTLEY MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING RODS AND PIPES Filed June 4. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 17, 1931. T. w. HARTLEY MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING RODS AND PIPES Filed June 4, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 17, 1931' UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING- RODS AND PIPES Application filed June 4, 1930, Serial No. 459,177, and in Great Britain June 12, 1929.

This invention relates to machines for straightening rods and pipes and particularly concerns machines which comprise-a frame in which are arranged a plurality of passes (two passes usually being employed) each comprising two rolls having a crossed or skew axis. One'of these rolls has two separated bearing surfaces and is conveniently formed by two conical, or substantially conical parts meeting at the centre of the length of the roll and having their larger diameters at the outer ends of the roll. The other roll of each pass has a bearing surface located intermediate the two separated bearing surfaces of the first-named roll and is smaller in length and diameter than the latter.

lVhen two passes of the kind named are employed, these passes are separated and are disposed at a suitable distance apart. Each of these pairs ofrolls is a complete straightening pass in itself, especially adapted to remove short bends or kinks in rods and tubes, whilst the two passes prevent the rod or the like from swinging laterally without the help of an auxiliary guiding means.

The rod or tube passing through the passes has two separate bearings on each of the larger rolls and a separate bearing on the smaller roll, a bending space being provided at or about the centre of each of the larger rolls.

A third roll is provided in the machine, and this roll is similar in all respects to the smaller rolls previously described. This roll will hereinafter be referred to as the pressure roll and is mounted in between the two smaller rolls and is located opposite the space between the two double conical larger rolls.

The small rolls and the pressure roll are all preferably slightly concave on their bearing surfaces.

In this kind of machine the smaller rolls and the pressure 'roll have hitherto been each ing a slot arranged transversely to the axes provision was made for adjusting the rolls mounted in a yoke carried by a bracket hav-' 'versely of the machine (that is toor from the larger rolls) to the same extent. To adjust the rolls longitudinally, the bolt passing through the bracket had to be released and the bracket slidden along, the bolt being then again screwed up. I

In practice the rolls of a straightening ma chine are shaped to deal with a predetermined diameter of rod or tube, the arrangement being such that a comparatively large portion of the peripheral surfaces of the rolls engage the rod or tube as it passes through the machine.

Hitherto when such a machine was used for treating rods or tubes of diameters different to the said'predetermined diameter such over or undersized rods or tubes were not properly supported and could not be so properly supported by the primary rolls because the contours of these rolls were not in most cases entirely suitable for the rods being treated. Such definite support of the rods or tubes resulted in a slightly wavy or sinuous formation being imparted to the rods or tubes, which wavy or sinuous formation is undesirable and especially is this so in some cases, for example where the rod or tube is to be silver plated, because in this case the defect appears to be magnified after plating.

It is therefore one of the objects of this invention to provide a machine which will straighten rods or tubes of a given range of sizes suitable for the machine and which will obviate or reduce to a minimum the above described sinuous or wavy defects in the treated rod or tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a generally improved means for adjusting the said small rolls and the pressure roll both transversely andlongitudinally of the machine. f 100 A further object of the invention is to provide further adjustments in the said rolls of the machine, and yet another ObJGCt of the invention is to provide a generally 1mproved rod and tube straightening machine.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of machine constructed according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan of the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on line 3-3 Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a part sectional plan of the machine shown in Figures 1 to 3. I

Figure 5 is a transverse section on line 55 Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a part sectional elevation of a detail.

Figure 7 is a part sectional elevation of another detail, and

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 Figure 7.

In the machine illustrated in the drawings, 1 is the frame, 2 and 3, are the primary rolls, 4 and 5 are the secondary rolls, and 6 is the pressure roll. The primary rolls 2, and 3, are carried respectively in yokes 7 and 8 on shafts 9 and 10. The secondary rolls 4 and 5 are each carried on a spindle in a separate yoke 11, whilst the pressure roll 6 is carried on a spindle in a yoke 12. The secondary rolls 4 and 5, and the pressure roll 6 are adjustable to and from the vertical plane containing the primary rolls 2 and 3, and the secondary rolls, and the pressure roll are also angularly adjustable.

The yokes 7 and 8 carrying the primary rolls 2 and 3 respectively are made separately of the frame 1 of the machine and are each angularly adjustable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of its roll and are each provided with a central boss 13, mounted rotatably in a correspondingly shaped recess in the frame 1 of the machine.

Each yoke 7 and 8 is provided with flanges 14 having arcuate slots 15 through which pass bolts or studs 16 screwing into the frame 1 and serving to lock the yoke in an angularly adjusted position.

In some cases worms 17 and 18 may be provided on a horizontal shaft 19 adapted to be rotated by a hand wheel 20 for rotating for adjustment purposes the yokes 7 and 8, worm wheel teeth being provided on, or associated with the flanges 14 of the yoke 7 and 8 respectively for engaging with the worms 17 and 18. This worm and worm wheel method of adjustment is not absolutely necessary and may or may not be used as desired.

The primary rolls 2 and 3 are driven from a suitable. power source such as an electric motor 21through the medium of a driving shaft 22 mounted in bearings 23 and 24 carried by the frame 1 of the machine. The shaft 22 is provided with a pair of worms 25, and these worms each gear with a worm wheel 26. Each worm wheel 26 is mounted on a horizontal shaft 27 mounted transversely of the machine and being disposed one on the centre line of each of the yokes 7 and 8. The inner end of each of the shafts 27 carries a bevel wheel 28 which meshes with a further bevel 29 carried on a longitudinal shaft 30 mounted in the corresponding primary yoke of the machine.

The yoke has an axial recess 59 in which the bevels 28 and 29 are housed.

It should be understood that the method of driving each of the primary rolls 2 and 3 is the same and therefore the drive for the roll 2 only will be described.

The shaft 30 is mounted in the primary yoke parallel to the shaft carrying the primary roll, and the latter shaft and the shaft 30 are geared together by spur gears 31 enclosed in a gear case 32 forming part of, or carried by, the primary yoke.

The frame 1 of the machine may be made in any number of parts so as to permit of easy assembly, or dismantling of the machine, and for the proper enclosure of the gears.

The shafts 9 and 10 carrying the primary rolls 2 and 3 respectively are mounted on roller bearings 33 mounted in the corresponding yoke and in order to prevent scale and dbris generally, getting to these hearings and thereby damaging them, a cover plate 34 is provided at each end of each roll, and this plate is bolted or otherwise secured to the yoke carrying the roll, whilst the other end of the cover plate engages in a recess 35 in the adjacent end of the roll, and a packing washer 36 of felt or other suitable material is placed in a groove in the cover plate 34 so as to make adir-t proof joint between the roll and the plate, whilst not hindering the proper rotation of the roll. "Oil grooves 37 may be provided on the inside of the cover plate.

The arrangement described permits of the primary rolls being adjusted angularly so as to enable the straightening machine to be used with a variety of sizes of rod or tube, the adjustment enabling the rolls to be adjusted into the position of maximum engage ment with any particular rod or tube.

The front of the frame 1 of the machine is provided with a longitudinal slot or guideway 38 extending horizontally of the frame of the machine within a suitable distance of each end thereof. This slot is provided with suitable facings on its inside, and its edges are longitudinally ehamfered at 39 and 40. In this slot 38 are mounted three slides 41, one of these slides being provided for each of the secondary rolls 4 and 5, and one for the pressure roll 6. Each slide is of rectangular shape in cross section and is provided at one end with a flange 42 ehamfered on its inner surface to correspond with the chamfered edge of the said longitudinal slot 38, and the slide is adjustable longitudinally in the slot 38. The slide does not extend all the way through the slot in the frame but is rather shorter than the width of the said slot, as is clearly seen from Figure 7 of the drawings.

A central bore 43 is provided in each of the slides 41, and the axis of this bore is preferably at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the slot 38 in the frame.

Each of the yokes 11, 11 and 12 is provided with a cylindrical shank 44 adapted to enter the bore 43 in the corresponding slide 41.

In turn each shank 44 is provided with an axial bore 45 in which is mounted rotatably, but axially immovably, the reduced inner end 46 of a screw threaded spindle 47, this spindle being co-axially disposed in relation to the shank 44. A spindle 47 is provided for each of the yokes 11, 11 and 12, and a hand wheel 48 is provided on the outer end of each spindle.

Each of the spindles 47 is mounted rotatably in an internally screw threaded clamping plate 49 adapted to be secured to the corresponding slide 41 by means of set screws 50, these set screws passing through the clamping plate and engaging in the slide.

A lock nut 60 is provided on each spindle 47 for locking the spindle in an adjusted position in its clamping plate 49.

The upper and lower edges of the clamping plate 49 are chamfered to suit the corresponding edges of the longitudinal slot 48 in the frame 1. By tightening up the set screws 50 the slide 41'and clamping plate 49 are drawn together so as to clamp the frame of the machine between them and secure the yokes 11, 11 and 12in their respective adjusted longitudinal positions.

Rotation of each of the hand wheels 48 causes the corresponding spindle 47 to be moved transversely of the machine in its clamping plate 49, thus causing the corresponding yoke 11, 11, or 12 to be moved transversely of the machine, that is to or 7. from the vertical longitudinal plane of the primary .rolls 2 and 3, the direction of movement of the said yokes depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle 47. The position of the yokes are adjusted longitudinally of the machine by means of the slides 41, clamping plates 49 and studs 50.

In addition to the two adjustments described i. e. the longitudinal and transverse adjustments, the yokes 11, 11 and 12 are angularly adjustable. This adjustment is effected by turning the shank 44 carrying the yolire in its bearings in the corresponding sli e.

The means provided for locking each of the yokes 11, 11 and 12 in an angularly adjusted position comprises an annular plate 51 mounted on the shank 44 on the yoke between-the yoke and the corresponding slide the shank 44 is slidable in the latter but is not rotatable separately of the plate 51.

The annular plate 51 is provided with one or more arcuate slots 55' (see Figure 8) and a set screw 56 passes through each of these slots and engages in the adjacent slide 41. When the angular position of the yoke 11, 11 or 12 is to be adjusted the set screws 56 are slackened the yoke is rotated to the re quired position and the set screws 56 are again tightened. o

Worm, bevel, and spur gears have been shown in the drawings for transmitting the drive to the primary rolls, but it should be understood that spiral or helical gears may be used if desired.

With a machine constructed according to this invention the primary rolls are adjustable angularly, and so are the secondary and pressure rolls. This enables any one machine to be used eiiectively for a considerable variety of sizes of rods or tubes. Furthermore the secondary and pressure rolls can be adjusted either transversely or longitudinally of the machine in a better and quicker manner than has hitherto been posslble, and at the same time easily and effectively.

I have described a machine having a pair of primary rolls, but it should be understood that the present invention is applicable to melilchines having a larger number of primary ro s. c i What I claim then is l. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a secondary roll, said rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably .mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes, mounted adj ustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, and a screwed adjusting spindle associated with said stem.

2. A rod and tube straightenin machine of the type specified comprising, a Frame, a primary roll, a secondary roll,'said ro-lls forming a pass, a pressure roll, and said secondary and pressure rolls being separately angularly adjustable, and said secondary and pressure rolls being adjustable longitudinally and also transversely of the machine.

3. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a secondary roll, said rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adj ustable manner, a screwed adjusting spindle associated with said stem, a plate rotatable with said yoke stem but in which the stem is slidable endwise, said plate having a slot, and a locking stud adapted to pass through the slot in said plate and engage in said slide to lock said plate and stem in an adjusted angular position.

4. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a secondary roll, said rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, a flange on one end of said slide adapted to engage one side of the slotted part of the frame, a clamping plate associated with the other end of said slide and adapted to clamp the slide in a longitudinally adjusted position, a screwed adjusting spindle screwing into said clamping plate and connected to said stem so that the latter moves axially with the screwed spindle but so that either can rotate freely without the other, a plate rotatable with said yoke stem but in which the stem is slidable endwise, said plate having a slot and a locking stud adapted to pass through the slot in said plate and engage in said slide to lock said plate and stem in an adjusted an ular position.

5. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, an axial boss on said yoke rotatably mounted in a correspondingly shaped recess in the machine frame, means for locking said yoke in an adjusted position, a longitudinal shaft in vsaid yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine coaxially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, and a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass.

6. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a,yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, saidyoke being mounted on said frame in an angularly vadjustable manner, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, and a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass.

7. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, said yoke being mounted on said frame in an angularly adjustable manner, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, a longitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine coaxially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, and a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass.

8. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, said yoke being mounted on said frame in an angularly adjustable manner, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, a longitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted inthe machine coaxially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass, said secondary rolls being separately, angularly, longitudinally, and transversely adjustable.

9. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, said yoke being mounted on said frame in an angularly adjustable manner, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, a ongitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine co-axially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke,a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, and a screwed adjusting spindle associated with said stem.

10. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, an axial boss on said yoke rotatably mounted in a correspondingly shaped recess in the machine frame, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to a clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, a longi tudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine co-axially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, a flange on one end of said slide adapted to engage one side of the slotted part of the frame, a clamping plate associated with the other end of said slide and adapted to clamp the slide in a longitudinally adjusted position, and a screwed adjusting spindle screwing into said clamping plate and connected to said stem so that the latter moves axially with the screwed spindle but so that either can rotate freely without the other. 11. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a

- primary roll, a yoke in which sa1d primary roll is mounted, an axial boss on said yoke rotatably mounted in a correspondingly shaped recess in the machine frame, means for locking said yoke in an adjusted position, a longitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine co-axially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, a flange on one end of said slide adapted to engage one side of the slotted part of the frame, a clamping plate associated with the other end of said slide and adapted to clamp the slide in a longitudinally adjusted position, a screwed adjusting spindle screwing into said clamping plate and connected to said stem so that the latter moves axially with the screwed spindle but so that either can rotate freely without the other, a plate rotatable with said yoke stem but in which the stem is slidable endwise, said plate having a slot and a locking stud adapted to pass through the slot in said plate and engage in said slide to lock said plate and stem in an adjusted angular position.

12. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a primary roll, a yoke in which said primary roll is mounted, an axial boss on said yoke rotatably mounted in a correspondingly shaped recess in the machine frame, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot'and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted. position, a longitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel tosaid primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine co-axially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming a pass, a pressure roll, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, a flange on one end of said slide adapted to engage one side of the slotted part of the frame, a clamping plate associated with the other end of said slide and adapted to clamp the slide in a longitudinally adjusted position, a screwed adjusting spindle screwing into said clamping plate and connected to said stem so that the latter moves axially with the screwed spindle but so that either can rotate freely without the other, a plate r0, tatable with said yoke stem but in which the stem is slidable endwise, said plate having a slot, a locking stud adapted to pass through the slot in said plate and engage in said slide to lock said plate and stem in an adjusted angular position, and covers over the bea ings of the rolls. v

'13. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprisinga frame, a primary roll, a yoke in whlch sa1d primary roll is mounted said. yoke being mounted on said frame in an angularly adjustable manner, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, a longitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying shaft and geared to the latter, a trans verse shaft mounted in the machine co-axially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a secondary roll, said primary and secondary rolls forming apass, and bearing cov rs each adapted to make a dirt proof joint with an end of the primary roll.

14. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising, a frame, a pair of spaced primary rolls, a secondary roll for each primary roll, a pressure roll disposed between said secondary rolls and opposite the space between the primary rolls, said primary, secondary and pressure rolls being angularly adjustable, and said secondary and pressure rolls being adjustable longitudinally and also transversely of the machine.

15. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising a frame, a pair of spaced primary rolls, a secondary roll for each primary roll, each pair of opposite primary and secondary rolls being adapted to form a pass, a pressure roll disposed between said secondary rolls and opposite the space between the primary rolls, a yoke for each primary roll and in which the primary roll is rotatably mounted, an axial boss on said yoke rotatably mounted in a correspondingly shaped recess in the machine frame, a flange on said yoke having a slot, a clamping stud passing through said slot and engaging in said frame and adapted to clamp the yoke in an angularly adjusted position, a longitudinal shaft in said yoke on which said primary roll is mounted, a second shaft in said yoke parallel to said primary roll carrying "shaft and geared to the latter, a transverse shaft mounted in the machine co-axially with said yoke and geared to said second shaft, a driving shaft geared to said transverse shaft, a yoke for each of said secondary and pressure rolls, and in which such rolls are rotatably mounted, a stem on said yoke, a slide for each of said secondary and pressure roll yokes mounted adjustably in a longitudinal slot in the frame of the machine and in which the said yoke stem is mounted in an angularly and axially adjustable manner, a flange on one end of said slide adapted to engage one side of the slotted part of the frame, a clamping plate associated with the other end of said slide and adapted to clamp the slide in a longitudinally adjusted position, a screwed adjusting spindle screwing into said clamping plate and connected to said stem so that the latter moves axially with the screwed spindle but so that either can rotate freely without the other, a plate rotatable with said yoke stem but in which the stem is slidable endwise, said plate having a slot, a locking stud adapted to pass through the slot in said plate and engage in said slide to lock said plate and stem in an adjusted angular position, and bearing covers each adapted to make a dirt proof joint with an end of the primary roll.

16. A rod and tube straightening machine of the type specified comprising a frame, a pair of spaced primary rolls, a secondary roll for each primary roll, a pressure roll disposed between said secondary rolls and opposite the space between the primary rolls, said primary, secondary, and pressure rolls being angularly adjustable, mechanical means for angularly adjusting said primary rolls and said secondary and pressure rolls being adj ustable longitudinally and also transversely of the machine.

In witness whereof I aflix my signature.

THOMAS WILSON HARTLEY. 

